Singing Lessons

Last night, David Courington began a month-long series of lessons that our leaders hope will help our congregation to better sing with understanding and with the Spirit.  Here are some important lessons I think every congregation of God's people need to hear.

• 1. Singing can improve with 1) Good Coaching, 2) Good Examples, and 3) the 3 "P's" -- Practice, Practice, and Practice.
• Good singers are taught, not born!
• Ten Suggestions to IMMEDIATELY Improve Congregational Singing:

1. Remember Your Audience - Eph 5:19 - is God.
2. Remember Your Neighbor - Col 3:16.
3. Sit up.
4. Hold your head up.
5. Look up at the leader.
6. Start with the leader.
7. Sing out.
8. Keep up with leader.
9. Speak up - enunciate.  Don't be lazy with your speech.
10. Hold your note and volume - don't trail off at the end of phrases, verses, or songs.

Come join us each Tuesday in February at 6:00 for these lessons. 
Happy singing.  

Scott

What Must I Do - a guest video

A proud uncle (me) shares this video from his nephew. Daniel preaches in Sweetwater, TN -- he has a degree in telecommunications from Austin Peay State University. He also the son and nephew of preachers.

Sunday Eve in Parrish

Sunday night Parrish held our monthly singing night. Every last Sunday of the month we devote to singing and short devotional thought from one of our men. What a great night. At one point I stood up and asked for all the young boys who wanted to help me lead a song stand up with me. Two young school age boys came up to the front and I went to get a third. The third one is Rashad Jaxson Hussain, he is less than a year old, but he let me hold him and he grinned along as the other three of us lead the congregation in "Jesus Loves Me." It was a special moment.

I heard someone say that you can evaluate a congregation's theology by the doctrine taught in the songs that they sing. I took notes writing down every song we sang Sunday night. Each man who stood up to lead chose his own song (or song the one suggested by his wife). Here are the songs in order:

We Shall Assemble on the Mountain
Worthy Art Thou
Precious Lord
Only in Thee
At Calvary
Jesus Loves Me
A Wonderful Savior is Jesus My Lord
Leaning on the Everlasting Arm
As the Life of a Flower
Beyond this Land of Parting, Losing, and Leaving
Blue Skies and Rainbows (A Third Grade student lead this one)
I Have Found a Friend in Jesus
(The next five songs were requested by our ladies and older men)
I Believe in the One They call Jesus
Ring Out the Message
Do You Know My Jesus?
Tell Me the Story of Jesus
Redeemed
Kneel at the Cross
You Are the Words and the Music

What's Yours?

First things first -- Happy Birthday, Amy. I am privileged that you call me your husband.

Now on to this morning's drive. As I was detouring through Jasper this morning, I began singing without the radio. I was singing one of my favorite hymns -- Nearer, Still Nearer (by Lelia N. Morris, 1898). I love this song for a couple of reasons:

1. The words and music go hand in hand. This is not always the case with church songs. Some songs have great lyrics, but the music takes away from the message. Others have great musical themes, but the words are trite or sometimes archaic.
   
2. The message of the song is a great, life-long desire; to be ever nearer to God and Christ. I long for the day when I am near to Christ in heaven and can walk and talk with Him face to face.
3. Verses 2 and 3 of the song break my heart and humble my spirit.

Nearer, still nearer, nothing I bring,
Naught as an off'ring to Jesus my King,
Only my sinful, now contrite heart;
Grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart.

Nearer, still nearer, Lord, to be Thine;
Sin, with its follies, I gladly resign,
All of its pleasures, pomp and its pride;
Give me but Jesus, my Lord crucified.

As I wipe the tears from my eyes and bow my head in prayer asking to grow nearer to God, I ask you - What is your favorite church (worship) song?

Have a great day!
Scott